Illinois has awarded degrees to nearly 4,000 I-Promise recipients since the scholarship program started in 2005.
IP graduates go on to have tremendous success in a variety of employment industries and/or graduate and professional school and stay connected through our LinkedIn group.
Deja Harrell
Class of 2017, Creative Writing, minor in Communication
Deja moved to LA in 2018 and worked as a TV writer on a Netflix show for 2 years, as well as sold an unannounced show to HBO Max in 2021. She is now living in New York and attending NYU Tisch in
Fall 2025 to get her masters in Dramatic Writing.
“Illinois Promise ensured I was able to get through school without too much worry. I think not having to worry allowed me to pursue my dreams.”
Denver Merz
Class of 2025, Sustainable Design, minor in Architecture
Denver is pursuing a graduate degree in Architecture at the University of Illinois beginning in Fall 2025.
“Illinois Promise defined my experience and guided my success. Without the dedicated, passionate, and deeply caring staff who run the program I would not have had the much needed resources that
helped me to succeed.“
Jonathan Sanchez
Class of 2019, Business Administration
Based in Denver for the past five years, Jonathan moved there after graduating in 2019 to begin a career in tech. Initially planning to relocate after three years, he decided to stay and has since built a life with his wife, Olivia, and dog, Remy. Alongside his career, Jonathan began investing in real estate, acquiring properties, and operating them as Airbnbs. Recently, he left the tech industry to focus full time on real estate and now runs a short-term rental property management company, helping others achieve financial freedom through investing.
“While I was in undergrad, I was an ambassador for the program and I enjoyed connecting with others and learning more about their goals in life. The mentorship and resources I received set me up for success and I knew I could reach out at anytime with questions. I’m looking forward to giving back to the community and helping others achieve their goals!”